Aquatics and Swimming Lessons

Cannonball! Swimming is a great way to promote a healthy and fit lifestyle. It’s also a fun way to stay cool in the summer with friends and family.


Welland has three public outdoor swimming pools for everyone to enjoy, free of charge, during open swim time. In addition, a wide range of high-quality and affordable instructional programs are available for those just learning to swim to anyone looking to harness their next level of skills both in swimming and fitness.

What you should know before arriving at the pool

Admission Standards for Public Pools were developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards and assistant lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and the activities of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purposes of preventing injuries and fatalities.

  • Children under the age of 10 years who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 14 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be a maximum of 4 bathers to one parent or guardian (4:1). The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be increased to a maximum of 8 bathers to one parent or guardian (8:1) if lifejackets are worn by all non-swimmers in their charge
  • Children under the age of 10 who are swimmers (able to demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test) may be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied.
  • Children under the age of 6 years may not be admitted to the swimming pool unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for their direct supervision, with a maximum of two children for each parent or guardian
  • Guardians or group leaders are responsible for the children in their care while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times.
  • Guardians or group leaders should be at least 12 years of age.
  • Ratios of instructors/lifeguards to bathers must also be maintained as per Regulation 565.

Those with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by an individual knowledgeable of their condition and responsible for their direct supervision.

Hyperventilation/rapid breathing or extended breath holding prior to underwater swimming is unsafe behaviour and is not permitted.

We will evaluate your child’s swimming ability free of charge and recommend the appropriate level for swimming lesson registration. Please ask a Senior Lifeguard for more information.

Life jackets are allowed in our pools; however, children wearing life jackets must be within arms reach of an adult at all times.


Swim schedule and programming

Please visit the Active Portal to view the open swim schedule

Aquatic programming and swim lessons

Please visit the Active Portal for more information on swimming lessons and other programs offered at our indoor therapy pool and outdoor pools.

City outdoor pools

Capacity: 400 — large pool and small pool

Capacity: 400 — large pool and small pool

Soft opening July 6 for lane and lap swimming.
Grand opening July 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. Details to come.

Pool and splash pad

image of swimmers in a pool

Public pools open for the season on June 22, 2024
 

Important

Please remember to regularly check the News & Alerts section located at the top of your screen for important updates regarding the outdoor pools. This section is our primary channel for communicating closures, maintenance, and heat alert schedules. Additionally, we will utilize our social media channels, Facebook and Instagram, to communicate any important information that may affect your experience.